Skip to main content


During his lifetime, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s views were considered radical by much of the white establishment, including the government. King was the subject of several FBI surveillance investigations, designed to collect subversive material on him.

Chick Harrity/AP

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is approaching quickly – Monday, Jan. 15 — and this year, the federal holiday falls on the actual birthday of the celebrated civil rights leader who was assassinated more than a half a century ago.

As the United States commemorates the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, here are a few things to know about the holiday honoring the slain activist and his fight against inequality and racial injustice.



The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., accompanied by Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy (center), is booked by city police Lt. D.H. Lackey in Montgomery, Ala., on Feb. 23, 1956.

Gene Herrick/AP

From subversive to hero

This year marks 56 years since the activist was assassinated.

Today, King is widely lauded as a hero who led a nonviolent crusade against racist segregation policies and horrendous brutality against Black people. But at the time, his views were considered quite radical by much of white America, including the government. (He was the subject of several FBI surveillance operations, designed to collect subversive material on King.)

The Pew Research Center found that by 1966 — two years after he’d received the Nobel Peace Prize — 63% of Americans had an unfavorable opinion of King, “including 44% who viewed him highly unfavorably.” Today, 81% of American adults say he had a positive impact on the country.

See also  Did slavery cause the Civil War? Nikki Haley doesn't say so at a campaign event : NPR

Jonathan Eig, author of King: A Life, told NPR in 2023 that King, a pastor who followed in his father’s footsteps, was a protest leader who did not like conflict.

Even as he sat at the helm of anti-segregation protests, including the Montgomery bus boycott and the march from Selma, Ala., to the state capitol, Eig said King “is always going out of his way to avoid conflict with people who are his elders. … And he really doesn’t like conflict.”

Eig added: “He has to push himself really out of his comfort zone to argue, to debate, to really challenge some of the leaders of this country.”



The rising full moon passes behind the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Washington Monument. MLK Day is the only federal holiday dedicated to volunteer service.

J. David Ake/AP

The road to a federal holiday

The fight to declare MLK Day a federally recognized holiday was a long slog for its champions, who began the campaign almost immediately after King’s assassination on the balcony of a hotel in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968.

It was President Ronald Reagan who eventually signed a bill in 1983 that added Martin Luther King Jr. Day to the list of federal holidays, commemorating King’s contribution to the civil rights movement. Still, it wasn’t officially observed until 1986.

But there were still several holdouts who refused to recognize the holiday at the state level. Most notably, Arizona opposed it until a referendum was passed in 1992, after the state lost an estimated $500 million in revenue when the NFL moved the 1993 Super Bowl game to California in protest.

See also  How a Black cheer squad in Buffalo offers with the racist bloodbath blocks away : Code Transfer : NPR

Why January and why Mondays?

The holiday always lands on the third Monday of the month, roughly around the time of King’s actual birthday, Jan. 15. The timing is also in line with the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968, which ensures a long weekend for workers.

In 1994, under then-President Bill Clinton, it became the only federal holiday dedicated to volunteerism, after Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act. Americans are encouraged to observe the day “with acts of civic work and community service” in honor of King’s legacy.

Source link

Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.

31 Comments

  • Nice blog here Also your site loads up very fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • Its like you read my mind You appear to know a lot about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is fantastic blog An excellent read I will certainly be back

  • Emery Ledner says:

    Fantastic site A lot of helpful info here Im sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious And naturally thanks on your sweat

  • you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter

  • Lia Dooley says:

    Somebody essentially help to make significantly articles Id state This is the first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to make this actual post incredible Fantastic job

  • Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do so Your writing taste has been amazed me Thanks quite nice post

  • Kane Hudson says:

    Its like you read my mind You appear to know a lot about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is fantastic blog An excellent read I will certainly be back

  • Rhea Padberg says:

    Nice blog here Also your site loads up very fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • My brother suggested I might like this blog He was totally right This post actually made my day You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info Thanks

  • Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content

  • Tom Raynor says:

    you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic

  • Ive read several just right stuff here Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how a lot effort you place to create this kind of great informative website

  • Ana Dixon says:

    Ive read several just right stuff here Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how a lot effort you place to create this kind of great informative website

  • Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore I am attempting to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas

  • Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore Im attempting to find things to enhance my siteI suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas

  • Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do it Your writing style has been amazed me Thank you very nice article

  • I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply in your visitors Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts

  • Tess Becker says:

    Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore I am attempting to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas

  • Hi Neat post There is a problem along with your website in internet explorer would test this IE still is the market chief and a good section of other folks will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem

  • Peter Chavez says:

    I simply could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person supply on your guests Is going to be back incessantly to investigate crosscheck new posts

  • Magnificent beat I would like to apprentice while you amend your site how can i subscribe for a blog web site The account helped me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  • Normally I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very forced me to try and do so Your writing style has been amazed me Thanks quite great post

  • Wow superb blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is magnificent as well as the content

  • Kelley Riley says:

    Simply wish to say your article is as amazing The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work

  • Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly articles Id state That is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to make this actual submit amazing Wonderful task

  • Carolyn King says:

    I simply could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person supply on your guests Is going to be back incessantly to investigate crosscheck new posts

  • My brother recommended I might like this web site He was totally right This post actually made my day You cannt imagine just how much time I had spent for this information Thanks

  • Angel Jacobi says:

    Hi my family member I want to say that this post is awesome nice written and come with approximately all significant infos I would like to peer extra posts like this

  • Myron Lyons says:

    Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • Anita Sims says:

    Thank you for the good writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how could we communicate

  • helloI like your writing very so much proportion we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this space to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look forward to see you

Leave a Reply

https://coburnforsenate.com/
https://mts-mqtebuireng.sch.id/
https://hotelarjuna.com/
http://espanahijos.com/
https://kimkartoharjo.madiunkota.go.id/
https://sites.google.com/view/oceania-harvard-sig/about
https://sites.google.com/view/enigmaths/home
https://sites.google.com/view/microdosingpsychedelics/home
https://sites.google.com/view/braddockgrease/home
https://sites.google.com/view/donaldgrasse/home
https://sites.google.com/view/cleanwharfeilkley/home
https://sites.google.com/view/uptownchristmastrees/
https://sites.google.com/view/schev-tempsite/home
https://lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com/
https://moviemunn.blogspot.com/
https://runopolis.blogspot.com/
https://bestonlinedrugstore.blogspot.com/
https://hambos2novel.blogspot.com/
https://federasty.blogspot.com/
https://business-writer.blogspot.com/
https://changetheagenda.blogspot.com/
https://mschangart.weebly.com/
https://igleceldom.weebly.com/
https://tylercoverdale.weebly.com/
https://compassionatestanford.weebly.com/
https://laurelryohe.weebly.com/
https://uwmicrophiles.weebly.com/
https://roll4rock.weebly.com/
https://travellerchris.weebly.com/
https://gwynllyw.weebly.com/
https://billsantiago.weebly.com/
https://latinocaucus.weebly.com/
https://communitiesconnectingforchildren.weebly.com/
https://redmoonpathways.weebly.com/
https://urangcianjur.weebly.com/
https://vtsbl.weebly.com/
https://rickmountshootingschool.weebly.com/
https://forthamiltoncommunityclub.weebly.com/
https://edsupportgroup.weebly.com/
https://susans-words2.weebly.com/
https://kadiehenderson.weebly.com/
https://parmatours.weebly.com/
https://tractgames.weebly.com/
https://hazratkhateeb-e-azam.weebly.com/
https://financialsupport.weebly.com/
https://debraperrone.weebly.com/
https://barcelonaplanetfilmfestival.weebly.com/
https://aplusc.weebly.com/
mikatoto
SENGTOTO
SENGTOTO
SITUS EVOSTOTO
LOGIN EVOSTOSO